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Image courtesy of Anishinaabe visual artist Luke Swinson @lukeswinsonart
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We pause to honour the children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools, those who never came home, and the Survivors, families, and communities who continue to experience the impacts today.
As a choral community, we know that song carries language, memory, and identity, and we recognize that this history is close to the heart of what we do. The residential school system deliberately suppressed Indigenous languages, songs, and ceremonies: the very things that carry culture from one generation to the next. Reconciliation asks us not only to remember, but to reflect on how we make music, whose voices we uplift, and how we build relationships with Indigenous communities.
At Choral Canada, we recognize that our efforts must begin by recognizing the injustice that lies at the base of the place where we live and make music. And then, together, we move towards a more just world for all.
We are listening, learning, and unlearning, and we encourage our members and friends to continue walking alongside us in this work. We invite everyone in the choral and group singing community not only to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation but to carry its meaning into your programming, your partnerships, and your daily actions.
Below is a list of events, organizations, resources, and learning opportunities connected to national Truth and Reconciliation. It is not complete, but we hope it can be a place to begin. If you have an Indigenous-led initiative/communication that is national in scope and you would like us to share it, please get in touch with our Communications Manager, Colin Frotten, at [email protected].
Support is available; former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports. Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
Resources
- One Day’s Pay
https://www.onedayspay.ca
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation give one day's pay or what you can afford to Indigenous-led projects, movements, organizations and nations.
One Day’s Pay launched a grassroots campaign on September 30th, 2021, to mobilize settlers and non-Indigenous people in Canada to meaningfully recognize the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families and communities. People across the country responded to One Day’s Pay's invitation to meaningfully act: raising close to $1,000,000 dollars for Indigenous led projects, movements, organizations and nations over the last five years.
One Day’s Pay is guided by The Circle on Philanthropy, a national Indigenous led organization that works to transform the philanthropic sector to redistribute wealth, activate wisdom and strengthen organizational infrastructure for the purpose of Indigenous peoples, organizations, communities and nations.
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Remembering the Children
https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/parliament-hill
In honour of the sixth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), APTN, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC/Radio-Canada and the Algonquin Nation have united to produce a 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering, entitled Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The live National broadcast will begin at 12pm EDT on September 30, 2026.
- Ancestors Voices: Music & Learning for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
https://coalitioncanada.ca/en/ancestors-voices
The Coalition for Music Education's "Ancestors Voices" program introduces an Indigenous songwriter and their song to classrooms across the country. This curriculum-based music program is meant to acknowledge National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and to honour the children who didn’t return home, the survivors, and all others whose lives have been impacted by residential schools. The 2026 featured artist is Abegweit First Nation pop artist DeeDee Austin.
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CBC News' Beyond 94
https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/beyond-94//education
A webpage dedicated to monitoring progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Latest update: September 22, 2026.
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Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF): A Day To Listen
September 30, 2026 | 6AM – 6PM Local Time
https://downiewenjack.ca/a-day-to-listen
In recognition of the NDTR on September 30, the DWF is proud to partner once again with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada for this special event. This year’s theme is Honouring Truth with Action.
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Culture Days NDTR Events
https://culturedays.ca/en/resources/truth-and-reconciliation
Culture Days has created a space exclusively for events organized to commemorate the NDTR, including those aimed at sharing First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit experiences and perspectives and uplifting the creative and cultural expressions of Indigenous people and communities. Find events happening across Turtle Island on September 30 and a list of resources to explore.
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Kanata: Contemporary Indigenous Artists and their Music – MusiCounts
https://musicounts.ca/en/programs/musicounts-learn
A learning resource that supports teachers in bringing Indigenous voices, perspectives, and music into classrooms.
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Indigenous Canada: CBC Music Playlist
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-music-playlists/37-indigenous-canada
From roots and rock to hip hop and hand drums – Canadian Indigenous music is an invite to a cultural experience across all genres. Hear: Don Amero, Caley Watts, the Halluci Nation, Terry Uyarak, Wolf Saga and more.
